7/20/2012

Idaho Transportation Investment Program
Board approves plan to expedite key projects
The Idaho Transportation Board this week approved a resolution that will expedite approximately $180 million of highway construction projects in key corridors to improve mobility, safety and economic opportunity for Idahoans. “With low interest rates, the need to improve safety, grow the economy through construction jobs, remove bottlenecks to commerce and improve traffic flow, the board decided unanimously to advance these projects,” said Jerry Whitehead, chairman of the Idaho Transportation Board.
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Aeronautics, technology
ITD develops one-of-a-kind aero tablet 'app'
ITD recently developed and released an “app” for electronic tablets that will improve safety for pilots flying into and out of Idaho airstrips. The app is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. It provides information and runway diagrams for 134 Idaho airports and aviation facilities along with general flight information.
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Highway safety
3500-pound weapon wields destructive potential
"Your vehicle is a 3,500-lb. weapon,” said Garden City STEP (Selected Traffic Enforcement Program) coordinator Sgt. Blair Brannan. “Multiply that weight with the speed you’re traveling, and the destructive potential is phenomenal.” With that, Sgt. Brannan begins morning traffic school, as he has done more than 50 times by his estimation.
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Employee safety
ITD gains 3,200 productive work days in FY '12
What does 3200 fewer days lost to injury in one year mean to an organization? Greater productivity, to be sure. A more positive working atmosphere. Better mental well-being for employees. Less malingering and complaining. The list goes on. In the recently completed Fiscal Year 2012, there were 938 days lost to injury, compared to 4,147 the previous fiscal year. 
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Highways
Seal coats protect highway surfaces from moisture intrusion
Every year, particularly mid- to late-summer, seal coats and chip seals projects abound throughout the state. The practice always prompts many questions. Here are a few answers from ITD. These applications protect the financial investment taxpayers have made in the road, and they protect drivers.
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Highways
Improvments continue on Idaho 55 – Eagle Road in Boise
ITD continues to reshape one of the busiest non-interstate corridors in Idaho by adding protective medians and resurfacing parts of Eagle Road (Idaho 55). Contractors are working between Franklin Road and Fairview Avenue.
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Employees
Employee's granddaughter founds open-air artisans market
The Central Market will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday (July 21) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Central Assembly Christian Life Center, 12000 W. Fairview Ave. The Central Market is the brainchild of Kiele Newton-Sittser, a 14-year-old Senior Girl Scout and granddaugher of ITD's Levi Sittser.
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Highway safety
Crash spectators cause highway safety concerns
In recent years, the Idaho State Police has been proactive in keeping the citizens of Idaho informed on issues that threaten public safety. On July 11, while at the scene of an injury crash involving four vehicles on Interstate 84 in Canyon County, ISP Troopers witnessed up to 30 motorists using unsafe driving practices ... 
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Highway safety
Encore (7-13-12): Crash fatalities drop 20 percent from 2010 to 2011
The Crash Report for 2011 will be published this week so I thought it would be a good idea to share some of the highlights about crashes in Idaho. This 2011 crash report will be on our website in the near future. Along with the rest of the nation, Idaho saw a significant decrease in fatalities in 2011.
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Cars, environment
Encore (7-13-12): Sun, high temperatures turn vehicles into child death traps
Idaho and much of the northern U.S. are sweltering in severe summer heat, increasing the risk of hyperthermia for children left unattended in vehicles. Over the past 15 years, an average of 38 children died from stroke or other heat-related complications after being left inside cars. Each passing minute adds to the tragic potential.
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Environment
Encore (7-13-12): Summer heat brings health cautions
Children and pets left unattended in vehicles as outside temperatures rise aren’t the only potential victims of heat-related death – so are the elderly, those with extenuating health conditions and people who work or recreate outside for long periods of time.The National Weather Service reports that heat is the number one weather-related killer in the U.S.
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Preparedness
Encore (7-13-12): Prepare now to have a safe summer
Recent events in and around our state bring to mind the importance of emergency awareness and preparedness. Past Preparedness Pointers have covered information on heat, power outages, lightning storms and wildfires. These things are occurring locally and in nearby locations daily.
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